help and advice needed re grammer school

[Ibib]

I am kindly seeking some advice guidance and help please. My son is attending local state primary school and he is a very able child. We live in Berkshire and Reading boy school(secondary) is not too far away. However his school is not helpful in any way in getting or assisting children into getting to grammer school has anyone been in this situation and what would advice me to do thanks

Hi
My DS is waiting result on Wed to see if he gor into Reading! We just worked through papers at home & he attended the 11+ workshop at Expore Learning in Savacentre - but in all honesty we did more at home. I have since found out that a friend of mine (retired primary school teacher) coaches kids, & wished I had done this - even though they shouldn't have too - Reading has 500 applicants for 100 places & most of them from private schools where they coach them!

They take a Maths paper but it is written by the school & way easier than the 11+ practice tests (confirmed by all boys we spoke to). What we weren't prepared for was the essay. They had to write in pencil & DS handwriting has only become legible since he started writing with a fountain pen!

Honestly - if you REALLY want him to get in, get a good tutor, and start now for exam in November - wish we had.

thanks Milliways good luck on wednesday. Can I ask what was the essay about? How do you do about finding a private tutor? I am keen to help my son in every possible way because given the chance of a private education he would have excell but we just could not affort it.

The subject changes every year. This years was "A place that inspires you"! He's 10! (an August baby). They only have 15 mins total, so not long to think. According to Tutor friend they are looking for a list os stuff like a Simile, Metaphor, etc. DS says he did all that btw

You also don't know until the day if the test will be Verbal OR non-verbal reasoning. Answered prayers here - we nad non-verbal (86 questions in 40 or 45 mins I think he said). However, the exam day is well organised, teachers & six formers all very friendly. DS has lots of friends there. Did you know, last year their 6th formers did a cricket tour in St Lucia & Rugby in S.Africa! Who can afford that??

I'm another parent anxiously awaiting grammar school results. I didn't get a tutor, just got my son to work through practice papers at home. I found this book useful for English preparation and this site useful for practice tests.

Hallgerda thanks and good luck for wednesday also both replys are very useful and informative

I agree with the others - a private tutor can really help. You can get practice papers from WHSmith - e.g. NFER Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Private tutors often advertise in local papers. But a better way is to get a recommendation from another parent in the playground.

I agree with the others and yet another very anxious mum awaiting results. My daughters' school were very unhelpful and very anti grammer. Check whether its standard or multiple choice for your area. Start preparing now. Don't worry, do what you and your family feel is the best for your son. Good Luck.

Enid is absolutely right. Many Comprehensives in our area are able to select a small proportion of their intake by ability, so you might get some choice with them too. We made poor DS sit tests at 7 schools (4 local grammars, 2 comprehensives and 1 City Technology College). Luckily he likes doing tests .

My dd sat tests for 4 schools too and she loved it. Very excited. Felt very grown up. People think that tests are very negative but they can be positive experiences for some children.

THANK SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP WE WILL DO OUR BEST FOR WHAT IS RIGHT FOR OUR SON GOOD LUCK TO ALL YOU EAGERLY AWAITING TOMORROW RESULTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!